Establishment of mechanisms, rules and practices to prevent conflicts of interest

Competent authorities should have in place appropriate mechanisms, rules and practices to prevent and manage conflicts of interest. Those mechanisms, rules and practices should reflect that conflicts of interest may arise pre-employment, during employment, as well as due to post-employment occupational activities and during unpaid leave.

Competent authorities should have in place appropriate channels for internal reporting, follow-up and safeguards in place for persons who report breaches of conflicts of interest rules in accordance with Directive (EU) 2019/1937⁵ .

⁵ Directive (EU) 2019/1937 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 October 2019 on the protection of persons who report breaches of Union law (OJ L 305, 26.11.2019, p. 17).